PGA PROFESSIONAL
Tom “Tommy” Long
Originally from the UK and now based in New Zealand, Tom Long has built his career around the game of golf. It began with the dream of playing professionally, and when that chapter reached its natural conclusion, he leveraged his PGA qualification to pursue opportunities worldwide. His journey included roles in the UK, Italy, Dubai, and the Caribbean before settling in New Zealand as the Head Professional and Director of Golf at The Kinloch Club, a position he has held since its opening in 2007.
His expertise is frequently sought by golf media; he has presented instructional tips for Sky Sport, is often invited as a guest on podcasts and opinion panels, and is regularly interviewed by journalists for his perspective on the game. His easy-going nature, humour, and straightforward approach resonate with a broad audience.
Today, Tom channels his energy into a passion project, ‘Tommy does golf’. Here, he enjoys lighthearted conversations with highly regarded PGA professionals James Morgan and Paul Charman. Together, they share experiences and create engaging podcast and YouTube content, aiming to entertain fellow golfers while offering relatable and valuable perspectives on the game.
PGA PROFESSIONAL
James Morgan
James Morgan was born and raised in Surrey and West Sussex in the UK. From an early age, he developed a passion for golf, cycling two miles to and from the course with his clubs on his back.
He turned professional in 1986, qualified in 1989, and worked as an assistant at Copthorne G.C., Cuddington G.C., and Coombe Hill G.C. before becoming Head Professional at Cuddington in 1991. It was there he married a “Kiwi,” and after a couple of trips to New Zealand for family weddings, he fell in love with the country.
In a whirlwind four-day global trip, he flew from the UK on a Monday, interviewed for the Head Professional job at Hastings Golf Club (Bridge Pa) on Wednesday, was offered the position, and returned to the UK by Friday. He spent a decade at Hastings before moving to the busy 36-hole Taupo Golf Club, where he played a key role in guiding the club through a financial crisis.
After a brief “retirement,” he returned to the UK to rekindle his love for coaching, focusing on club fitting and instruction at the Winchester Golf Academy. A chance meeting led to a long-distance relationship, and the pair successfully endured a Covid lockdown in a 20×10 foot house. They fell in love and now live back in Taupo, New Zealand.
James plays golf at least twice a week and dedicates his time to part-time in-person coaching and online tips and swing reviews through his V1 Golf app: https://web.v1sports.com/james-morgan-golf/
His passion has always been for all aspects of golf, and after 50 years of playing the game, he is sure that will never die. We are sure you’ll enjoy his insights, his sense of fun, and his banter.
PGA PROFESSIONAL
Paul “PC” Charman
With a career spanning over three decades and three continents, Paul “PC” Charman brings a wealth of global golf experience to the team. A British PGA Professional since 1989, PC’s journey began remarkably early; he turned professional at sixteen in Kenya, where he grew up and won national tournaments like the Coast Open Championship.
His career has seen him hold key positions at some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, from the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Doha Golf Club in the Middle East to the East Sussex National in the UK. For over seven years, he served as the Golf Operations Manager at The Kinloch Club in New Zealand, honing his skills in customer service and club management.
Fluent in English, French, and Swahili, PC’s international background has equipped him with a unique perspective on the game. While he now applies his meticulous skills as a School Caretaker in Taupo, his passion for golf remains undimmed. His deep-rooted knowledge, forged on courses around the world, makes him a valuable and insightful voice.
